Family Day: Celebrating Ethan's Adoption Anniversary by Christine Mitchell

This sweet book, written by a mother with both biological and adopted children, chronicles the anniversary of five year old Ethan’s adoption. It begins with him waking up and seeing the heart around the day on the calendar. He bounds into the kitchen, where his mother reminds him this is the one year anniversary of his adoption.

Throughout the day, Ethan tells other children about his adoption and remembers his first family. His mother assures him that it is okay to miss them and love them still. They celebrate the day by going out to eat, and they remember and discuss the adoption day at court a year earlier. When they come home, they look at pictures in Ethan’s lifebook, which tells his personal story.
At bedtime, Ethan asks his mother again why he was adopted, and she kisses him and tells him how they came about being a perfect fit for each other.


As a mother who has adopted an older child from foster care, I have found that these kinds of children’s books are rare. I was glad to find something to read to my daughter that would validate her feelings, and let her know there are other people like her who have two families, and remember them both with love.

I highly recommend this book.